From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishovertonesovertones[plural]FEEL HAPPY/FRIGHTENED/BORED ETC signs of an emotion or attitude that is not expressed directly → undertoneovertones of There were overtones of anger in his voice.racial/sexual etc overtones football songs with violent overtonespolitical/religious overtones (=having a connection to politics or religion that is not directly expressed) The decision may have political overtones. → overtone
Examples from the Corpus
political/religious overtones• Furthermore, these viewpoints in this problem situation are very emotive as they have moral and political overtones.• The industry has always claimed that this was a purely technical decision without any political overtones.• It is extremely difficult to believe that this cult did not have political overtones.• The course was moved to Reinhardt College in 1994, after complaints about its political overtones stirred a controversy at Kennesaw State.• We had a disastrous snowfall which had serious political overtones.• The hunt has strong religious overtones, and it can only succeed if harmony and peace prevail.• A committee of the sort called for by Cunningham would be a rarity in the Capitol and would have unavoidable political overtones. 